In a sweeping move that instantly reshaped leadership at Connally Independent School District, the Texas Education Agency on Wednesday replaced the district’s elected school board with a three-member board of managers and named Dr. Josie Gutierrez interim superintendent. The decision strips trustees of their decision-making authority for now and hands control of district operations to state appointees, with TEA officials pointing to years of low campus ratings as the driving factor.
What The State Announced
In a press release from the Texas Education Agency, Commissioner Mike Morath tapped Dr. Josie Gutierrez to lead the district and appointed Matthew Stufflebeam, Linda Peoples Lindsey and Carla Thomas to serve on a new three-member Board of Managers. Stufflebeam will serve as board president, Lindsey as secretary and Thomas as manager. “Today’s appointments reflect our commitment to ensuring that every student in Connally ISD has access to the education they deserve,” Morath wrote in the announcement. The agency also shared the move on its account on X (Texas Education Agency).
Why TEA Stepped In
Morath first signaled the takeover on Dec. 11, 2025, after two Connally campuses posted unacceptable ratings for five straight school years, which is the threshold in state law that triggers possible intervention. The background on those accountability rules, and the statute that allows these kinds of takeovers, is laid out by The Texas Tribune.
Who Is Running Connally Now
The three state-appointed managers are all local residents with ties to Connally ISD: Matthew Stufflebeam will serve as board president, Linda Peoples Lindsey as secretary and Carla Thomas as manager. Local reporting highlights Stufflebeam’s experience in real estate and higher-education instruction, Lindsey’s long career working in Connally schools and Thomas’s years teaching in the district along with her work in community health. Dr. Josie Gutierrez brings more than 30 years in education and previously worked as a deputy superintendent at Waco ISD, according to local coverage.
Exit Rules And Oversight
TEA has set specific exit criteria that must be met before control can return to an elected board. The board of managers will need to eliminate multi-year unacceptable campuses, raise student proficiency in reading and mathematics and help the elected school board reach a “Meets Focus” rating on the Lone Star Governance instrument. The agency’s release also spells out transparency requirements, stating that the Board of Managers must hold all meetings in public, post required budget and tax information and allow time for public comment.
How Connally ISD Is Responding
In a statement on its website, Connally ISD acknowledged the state intervention and said the district will keep pursuing school improvement efforts while appointed conservator Andrew Kim helps guide the transition. Local outlets report that trustees’ governing powers are suspended during this period, though trustee elections will continue to be held, and the district is urging community members to watch for meeting notices and information about how to apply for board positions.
The Law Behind The Takeover
The state’s move is grounded in House Bill 1842, a 2015 law that allows the education commissioner to appoint managers or close campuses after repeated failing accountability ratings. That law has fueled a wave of TEA interventions in recent years. Reporting by The Texas Tribune notes that some districts have seen academic gains following state action, while in other communities parents and staff have raised alarms about staffing changes and enrollment impacts.
What Happens Next
The new board of managers will begin holding public meetings and is expected to take up formal approval of the superintendent position after Dr. Gutierrez’s 21-day interim contract period. Local coverage describes that timeframe as the window in which the board can finalize district leadership. Residents who want to track the shake-up are being directed to Connally ISD’s website and local news outlets for agendas, meeting schedules and related documents.
